Suggestions:

 

1. It may be beneficial to establish partnerships with businesses and organizations in the community. Recently, the AGEF was able to receive proceeds from certain items purchased at The Daisy Village. If the AGEF can create working relationships within the business community, it may be able to gain more interest within the civilian community. The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools has a very audience-friendly website, with a section dedicated to partners in various capacities.

 

2. Upon the creation of a steady website, what I believe is a necessary and crucial step in this process, some sections that should be considered for inclusion (beyond the obvious) are: Success Stories, Events/Event Calendar, Newsletter Signup (provided a newsletter is part of the PR effort), Donate, Volunteer, Photo Gallery. Links to the foundation’s social media platforms may also be included, but I do not believe a Facebook page should be the AGEF’s primary source of visibility on the internet. However, the creation of a Twitter account, a blog, or other social media tools could provide the foundation for additional means of visibility among a wider audience. The argument exists that a Twitter account would be boring or useless, however, I believe that if utilized creatively, Twitter could potentially be a helpful contribution to the AGEF. First of all, creating a Twitter account bears no cost. Secondly, those who regularly engage in social media such as Twitter and do not spend copious amounts of time searching for information elsewhere may find event updates, photos, and simple encouraging quotes and messages, of particular interest. Third, if visibility in the community is a primary goal of the AGEF’s PR efforts, it may be in the foundation’s best effort to utilize several different platforms of online media and gauge the results of each.

 

3. Encouraging volunteers for extra programs could be a cost-effective way to establish more visibility and generate fresh, exciting content for the website and other media resources. Not only would the group be working to further their own cause, but it could include the added benefit of increased community outreach and interest.

 

4. Make sure that not only the public, but the students and teachers the group’s efforts benefit are educated about the foundation. People are more likely to support an organization they understand. In addition, make sure public records about the finances of the group and its activities are available and easily accessible.

 

5. The creation of incentive programs for givers and supporters could generate more interest. For example, a donation of $75 could warrant free entry into Goldbug sporting events for a month, or a gift of $50 dollars might get the donator a free movie pass (especially if the foundation sets up a partnership with the local movie theater). Perhaps every monetary contributor could receive a special card, designating that person as a “Goldbug Giver.” It would be the foundation’s choice whether or not to associate benefits with the card. It could either be a prestigious token, or perhaps the cardholder could receive 10% off at local (partnered) retailers.

 

Questions:

 

1. Is there anything significant about the date the AGEF was founded? Is it something that can be highlighted in the group’s mission/about section?

 

2. How do teachers benefit from the foundation?   

 

3. Is recognizing the educators and those who do the day-to-day work of helping students learn of particular importance to the group?

 

4. What are your specific financial goals?

 

5. What types of programs/activities do you wish to implement if you gain increased support?

 

6. Is rebranding a possibility?

 

I used this website  (The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools) to aid me in my plan development. My suggestions and questions above are based on personal opinion, public relations knowledge and my research and analysis of this resource.

I think the example is a very clean, very audience-friendly website. It provides tools for different groups, frequently updated material; it encourages interaction and participation and is informative and easily accessible.